Button stitching machine



Feb. 22, 1966 Q w, JOHNSON 3,236,200

BUTTON STITCHING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORCARL W. JOHNSON uglg m' M...-

ATTORNEY C. W. JOHNSON BUTTON STITCHING- MACHINE Feb. 22, 1966 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 18, 1963 l-M VV I INVENTOR CARL w JOHNSON I: Ill HI l ATTORNEY Feb. 22, 1966 w JOHNSQN 3,236,200

BUTTON STITCHING MACHINE Filed July 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FlG.5FIG.6

INVENTOR CARL W. JOHNSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,236,200 BUTTONSTITCHING MACHINE Carl W. Johnson, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to AmericanMachine 8: Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jerse y Filed Juiy 18,1963, Ser. No. 296,039

11 Claims. (Cl. 112110) This invention relates to stitching machines,and more particularly to improvements in stitching machines which sew orstitch buttons and like fastening devices to garments, such as mens andwomens coats and the like.

The invention constitutes improvements to button stitching machines ofthe type disclosed in Patterson et al, Patent 2,739,550, copendingJohnson et al. application, Serial No. 20,142, filed April 5, 1960 nowPatent 3,132,613, granted May 12, 1964, Johnson et al. application,Serial No. 20,693 now Patent 3,121,411, granted February 18, 1964,. andcopending Pedersen application, Serial No. 54,215, filed September 6,1960 now Patent 3,125,046, granted March 17, 1964 for Work Support Tablefor Button Stitching Machine.

In stitching buttons to garments, such as mens and womens coats, it isdesirable that the demands of particular fashion requirements be met.That is, a present demand may require the use of two-hole buttons. Thenagain, the style may require that a four-hole button be used, and thatparallel stitching or perhaps a cross stitch pattern be followed. One ofthe features of the invention is the provision of novel mechanism whichmakes it pos sible to meet all of the requirements for effecting thestitching of two-hole buttons as well as four-hole buttons. Theinvention also provides mechanism which makes it possible to adapt thestitching machine in which it is embodied with great napidity so as tohandle runs or lots of buttons of varying sizes and hole spacings. Thus,for a given run it may be desired to stitch two-hole, twenty-four '(24)ligne buttons, and for another run either two-hole or four-hole thirty(30) ligne buttons. Also runs can be made with four-hole buttons witheither parallel or cross stitch formations. These novel results areobtained by means which control the motion of the work supporting tablein such manner that the throw thereof is made to conform to therequirements of a two-hole or a four-hole button, its size and holespacing, and, in the case of a four-hole button, the selected stitchingpattern.

The invention also resides in the provision of means which make itpossible to compensate for variations in thickness of the goods ormaterial to which a button is being stitched. Because of this novelfeature the winding loops and the locking stitch or stitches passingtherethrough now can be located properly between the underside of abutton and the surface of the work to which a button is being attached.

In a normal weight mans suit coat, for example, the locking stitch orstitches securing the winding loops of thread from unwinding is or areapproximately at the midpoint of the loops of thread attaching a buttonto the work. In the case of the attachment of a button to the heavygoods of an overcoat, the locking threads would not be properly locatedas in the case of the suit coat above mentioned. The invention solvesthis problem by providing novel work support table control mechanismwhich selectively controls its motion so that the locking stitchesalways will be properly disposed between a button and the work to whichit is attached.

It is an object of the invention to provide novel means for effectingthe attachment of buttons of different types and sizes to selected workin a manner closely approximating hand stitching.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel stitchingmechanism which makes it possible to stitch two and four-hole buttons toselected work and use buttons varying in size and hole spacing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel buttonstitching machine wherein means are provided for controlling themovement of the work supporting table in such manner that buttons havingdifferent numbers of holes and spacing can be stitched, and differentselected stitching patterns can be followed in attaching four-holebuttons to the work.

The invention also consists of the provision in a button stitchingmachine having a novel work supporting table which can be so controlledin its movements relative to the needle that winding and lockingstitches relative to loops of thread connecting a button to the work aredisposed in a predetermined relationship preferably centrally betweenthe underside of :a button and the top surface of the work to which itis attached regardless of variations in the thickness of the workmaterial.

The invention further consists in novel selectively operated mechanismwhich controls the movement of the work support table of a buttonstitching machine such that runs or lots of buttons having two or fourholes and diiferently spaced holes can be handled in a machine embodyingthe invention and wherein, regardless of the thickness of the goods towhich a button is being attached, compensating adjustments can be madeto insure the proper disposition of the winding and locking stitches inthe shank or post securing the button to the goods.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in View, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe fully described hereinafter, and then specifically set forth in theclaims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or likeparts:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of (a work support table andits actuating mechanism of a button stitching machine showing apreferred embodiment of the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a partial end elevation, taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1,illustrating the post winding lock stitch control cam,

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the post winding lock stitch controlmechanism,

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the mechanism shownin FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional front elevation, taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4,illustrating the work support table actuating cams,

FIGURE 6 is a partial plan view of the work support table reciprocatingarm illustrating its adjusting feature in detail,

FIGURE 7 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation of the reciprocating arm adjustingmechanism.

I A machine in which the invention finds ready applicatron and use isone such as shown in Patterson et a1. Patent 2,739,550, or PedersenPatent 3,125,046. These machines are provided with mechanism forprojecting a needle N having an eye locatedbetween its ends back andforth through the holes of a button to be sewed and the work, so thatthe thread which passes through the eye of the needle is disposed incontinuous loops in the button and the work and about these loops andlocked against unwinding in a manner closely simulating hand stitchmg.

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodi-- ment of theinvention installed and operating in the type of machine describedabove, there is provided a work supporting table, designated T,essentially the same in construction and operation as that shown inPedersen, Patent 3,125,046. This table is formed of coacting members andunits which enable it to travel longitudinally and laterally and therebydispose work W and a button carried in a chuck (not shown) mounted onTable T properly relative to needle N for effecting the attachment ofthe button to work W. Driving mechanism D also similar in constructionand operation to that shown in Pedersen patent is responsible for theproper timed reciprocation of needle bars B, the operation of theseveral cams and linkages which effect the longitudinal and lateralmotion of table T, and all other coacting parts and units of the machinenecessary to attach a selected button or selected buttons to work W. Itwill be noted that, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, table T is providedwith a work support member M and a clamping plate P which secures it onmember M for stitching operations. This construction is similar to thatdisclosed in the Pedersen application.

As used herein longitudinal movement of table T, means that to and fromneedle N. Lateral movement is motion at right angles to the longitudinalpath of travel of table T. In certain stitching patterns, table T ismoved through a combination of paths of travel which can be defined asdiagonal.

In accordance with the invention, work support table T is so constructedand operated as to make possible a rapid change over to selectivelychange not only its path or paths of motion but also to selectivelychange the extent of its movement. In this way runs or lots of selectedbuttons, such as two-hole or four-hole buttons, of varying sizes, can bestitched to the work or material W, and at the same time the spacingbetween the button 'holes can be properly and accurately accommodated.

Referring to FIGURES l, 6, 7 and 8, longitudinal motion is imparted totable T by means of a lever 30 having one arm connected to a pin 27depending from the underside of table T which is suitably supported bymechanism (not shown) similar to that shown and described in the abovereferred to Pedersen patent. In order to effect a desired or selectedrapid change over to convert the machine to handle a selected type ofbutton, the other end of lever 30 is provided with an extension 10. Aplate 14 attached by screws 12 to this extension is provided with anarcuate slot 16 corresponding with a similar slot 18 formed in extension10. At its front or right hand side, as viewed in FIGUR'ES 6 and 7,plate 14 is provided with grooves 20 in which are movably clamped aplurality of suitably spaced indicator lugs or tabs 22. Each tab 22 isprovided with a narrow slot 24 which serves as an indicator orregistration mark. A registration plate 26 slidably supported on theupper face of plate 14 carries a pair of spaced downwardly pro ectinglugs 28 These lugs slidably engage in slot 16 in plate 14 and controlthe path of travel of plate 26 on plate 14. Formed centrally in plate 26is a hole through which extends the shank of a T-head bolt 29, the topportion of which supports a swivel joint head of a connecting rod bolt32 secured to lug 34 which forms one end of connecting rod member 36'. u

The opposite end of connecting rod member 36 is provided with a pair oflongitudinally spaced lugs 38 having a suitable horizontal bore in whichthe rear end of connecting rod-40 is slidably supported. The front endof connecting rod 40 is 'adjustably secured by bolt 42 (FIG- URES 4 andin a slot 44 formed in the free end of cam lever 46. This lever ispivotally mounted on horizontal shaft 48 held by a suitable bearing lug50 forming an integral part of and projecting from worm gear drivinghousing 52.

As shown in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, cam lever 46 supports a stud 54, one endof which carries a cam follower 58. The other end of stud 54 is securedin a selected adjusted position in lever 46 by set screw 56. Thisarrangement makes it possible to adjust the operative position of camfollower 58 relative to a selected cam 60 or 62, merely by loosening setscrew 56, shifting stud 54 laterally in lever 46 to position camfollower 58 for coaction with selected cam 60 or 62 and then againtightening set screw 56 against stud 54 to secure it and cam follower 58carried thereon against movement in lever 46 (see FIGURE 5). Camfollower 58 is maintained in tracking engagement with a selected cam 60or 62 by spring 49. One end of spring 49 is attached to the frame F ofthe machine, its other end is secured to the free end of lever 46.

Connecting rod 40 comprises a head 41 formed on one end resting againstthe face of one lug 38. Its other end is threaded and mounted in acoupling member 43 pivotally connected to lever 46, as described above.A lock nut 45 maintains rod 40 in a preset coupled arrangement withmember 43. Spring 47 encircling rod 40 between the second lug 38 andlock nut 45 provides a resilient yieldable sliding coupling between rod40 and member 36. In this way in case of a jam no breakage of parts canoccur. Also, this construction allows table T to be stopped at apredetermined adjusted position during the formation of a lockingstitch, as described hereinbelow.

Cams 6t) and 62 are designed and used to impart longitudinalreciprocating motion to work support table T by means of the linkagedescribed hereinabove. Due to the fact that the spacing between theholes of a standard twohole button is different from that of a standardfour-hole button of the same size, the position of cam follower 58 isadjusted such that it engages with cam 60 when a two-hole button isbeing stitched to the work, and with cam 62 when a four-hole button isbeing sewn.

Since the spacing between the two holes of a two-hole button, as well asthat between the holes of a four-hole button may vary with the size ofthe button, novel means are provided for insuring that the work andbutton which is to be attached are so disposed relative to needle N thatstitching operations can be effected without jamming, or breakage ofjoints or the needle. This important result it obtained by the structuredescribed hereinabove wherein the stroke imparted by a selected cam 60or 62 to actuating arm 30 is adjusted and set to conform with the holespacing of a selected two or four-hole button. This is done by looseningT-head bolt 29 and sliding connecting rod bolt in one direction or theother in arcuate slot 16 until the effective operating length of theconnecting rod linkage comprising connecting rod member 36 andconnecting rod 40 pivotally attached to lever 46 corresponds to thatrequired to insure proper movement of table T for the projection ofneedle N back and forth through the holes of a selected button withoutobstruction. This movement of bolt 32 which also moves plate 26continues until a selected calibration, such as 2 on plate 26, isaligned with a corresponding calibration 24 on a tab or lug 22 whereuponbolt 29 is tightened. The machine then is ready to stitch a run ofselected buttons to the work as required. Arcuate slots 16 and 18 areprovided to maintain operating symmetry between the holes of the buttonbeing stitched and table T regardless of the selected adjusted positionof bolt 29 in these slots.

In the same manner as disclosed and described in the above referred toPedersen patent, bell crank lever 72 is provided for effecting thelateral motion of table T. In accordance with the invention, however,one arm of lever 72 is formed with an extension 64 which is similar inconstruction to extension 10 of actuating arm 30. Extension 64 isprovided With an arcuate slot 66 (FIGURE 1) and has secured thereto aplate 68 formed with an arcuate slot which matches with that inextension 64. This construction is the same as that shown in FIG- URES6, 7 and 8. As in the case of plate 14, plate 68 also carries aplurality of registration or indicator tabs or lugs 70. A registrationplate 74 similar to plate 26 is slidably mounted on plate 68 and engageswith a stud 76 extending upwardly through the arcuate slots in extension64 and plate 68 in a manner similar to stud 29, and can be moved inthese slots in order to effect desired adjustments in the extent oflateral motion of table T. Slot 66 and its matching slot in plate 68perform the same function as slots 16 and 18 described hereinabove.

The top end of stud 76 supports the swivel joint end 77 of a connectingrod 78 which is maintained in opera tive position thereon by nut 79. Theother end of rod 78 is connected to the free end of cam lever 80pivotally mounted on shaft 48 (FIGURES 4 and 5), Cam lever 80 isprovided on its opposite faces with a hub 81 and a bore 83 therethrough.A stud 82 having a cam follower 84 mounted on one end is slidablymounted in bore 83, and is held by set screw 85 in a selected adjustedposition relative to cams 86, 88 and 90 which are mounted side by sideon cam shaft 92 on which cams 60 and 62 also are mounted. Cam follower84 is maintained in tracking engagement with a selected cam 86, 88 or 90by means of spring 87 having one end connected to the free end of lever80, and its other end attached to the machine frame F.

Cams 86, 88 and 90 are designed and used through the linkage describedabove to impart the required lateral reciprocating motion to work tableT. Each cam serves to provide a specific type movement in accordancewith a selected stitching pattern determined by the particular two orfour-hole button to be stitched.

Cam 86 is used when a two-hole button is to be stitched. Cam 88 is usedwhen a four-hole button is to be attached with a cross stitch pattern.Cam 90 is used for a four-hole button, but only when a parallelstitching pattern is desired.

Since, as mentioned hereinabove, the distances between holes indifferent sizes and types of buttons vary, the machine can quickly bechanged to accommodate the requirements as to lateral motion of table Tfor stitching a run or lot of buttons of a selected size by simplyloosening the nut 79 on bolt 76, and sliding bolt 76 in one direction orthe other in slot 66 until a selected marking or calibration on plate 74is aligned with a complementary calibration on one of the tabs 70secured to plate 68 which represents the extent of lateral movementtable T should travel for proper stitching of the selected button.

It will be appreciated that there are two adjustments which are made inorder to adapt the machine to stitch a selected button to the work. Thefirst described is the adjustment for controlling the extent oflongitudinal movement of table T. The second adjustment controls theextent of lateral movement of table T. The order in which theseadjustments are made is not controlling. The conjoint operation of aselected cam 60 or 62 on the one hand with a selected cam 86, 88 or 90on the other, together with the proper selected positioning of plates 26and 74 makes it possible to effect the desired stitching pattern for twoand four-hole buttons.

The several cams are provided with the required number of high and lowportions to insure that through drive mechanism D, and coactingoperating mechanisms shown herein and also similar to that disclosed anddescribed in Patterson et al. patent, Pedersen Patent 3,125,046, andJohnson et al. Patents 3,121,411 and 3,132,613, the necessary number ofstitches, post windings and lock stitches will be made in eifecting thedesired stitching of each button to the work. Since the mechanism forstitching, winding and forming of locking stitches does not form aspecific part of this invention further showing and detailed descriptionis deemed unnecessary to an understanding of the invention and isomitted.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the other end of bell crank lever 72 is connectedto a connecting rod 73, the other end of which is connected at 75 totable T. Thus, through this connection, the oscillation of hell cranklever 72, due to the rotation of cams 86, 88 or 90 engaging cam follower58, eifects the desired lateral movement of table T. The combinedoperation of cam 60 or 62 and a selected cam 86, 88 or effects thedesired path of travel of table T relative to needle N in the course ofstitching a selected button and the formation of winding and lockingstitches and comprises a combination of horizontal longitudinal, lateraland diagonal movements to accomplish these results. As in the case ofthe mechanism disclosed in Pedersen Patent 3,125,046, cam shaft 48 makesone revolution only during the entire stitching cycle.

In the process of stitching a button to the work, such as a mans suitcoat, it is desirable that the wrapping or winding stitches about theloops of thread attaching the button to the work, and the locking stitchor stitches be centered relative to the underside of the button and theupper surface of the work. Heretofore, if any variation in thickness inwork occurred, as in the case of difference in thickness between asuiting material and a thicker or heavy overcoat material, these lastnamed stitches would not be so disposed relative to the button and thework. This problem is solved by the present invention.

Referring to FIGURES l, 2, 3 and 4, the machine is provided with a cam94 mounted on cam shaft 92. Cam 94 is tracked by cam follower 96 mountedon cam lever 98 pivotally supported on shaft 48. The free end of camlever 98 is connected pivotally to one end of a connecting rod 100, theother end of which is connected pivotally to one arm of a bell cranklever 102 rockably mounted on pin 104 supported in a lug 106 on machineframe F (FIGURE 4). During each cycle of the machine when a lock stitchis made in being passed through the wrapped post attaching a button tothe work, in the manner similar to that disclosed in Patterson et al.Patent 2,739,550, the free end 107 of arm of bell crank lever 102 isswung by cam 94 from broken line to full line position shown in FIGURE3. In this position the end of arm 105 is disposed to be engaged by stopscrew 110 adjustably mounted in a lug 112 on extension 10 of actuatingarm 30. The engagement of end 107 with stop screw 110 arrests theforward movement of arm 30 and thereby the movement of table T. Bysuitable adjustment of stop screw 110 the centered position of a lockingstitch which is made during the engagement of end 107 of arm 105 withstop screw 110, can be controlled quite accurately. Stop screw 110 canbe provided with a calibrated head 114 so that the limit of forwardmovement of table T can be set with a fine degree of accuracy, andthereby insure that the lock stitch always will be placed centrallybetween the button and the work in accordance with the thickness of thework to which a button is to be attached.

What I claim is:

1. In a button stitching machine having means for projecting a threadedneedle back and forth through selected button holes and the work towhich a button is to be attached to form a plurality of loops of threadconnecting said button thereto, comprising in combination a supporttable for said work, means for forming a plurality of winding loops andlocking stitches around and through said loops of thread connecting saidbutton to said Work, means for moving said table in a longitudinal pathof travel relative to said needle, means for moving said table in alateral path of movement relative so said needle whereby to positionselected holes of said button in the path of travel of said needle,operating mechanism for actuating said means for effecting the movementof said table in said longitudinal and lateral paths of travel, andmeans for controlling said mechanism to limit the extent of saidmovements of said table in accordance with the number of holes andspacing between the holes of a button being stitched.

2. In a button stitching machine having means for projecting a threadedneedle back and forth through selected button holes and the work towhich a button is to be attached, comprising in combination a supporttable for said work, means for moving said table in a longitudinal pathof travel relative to said needle, means for moving said table in alateral path of movement relative to said needle whereby to positionselected holes of said button in the path of travel of said needle,operating mechanism for actuating said means for effecting the movementof said table in said longitudinal and lateral paths of travel saidmechanism comprising a cam shaft, means for driving said cam shaft intimed relationship with the operation of said means projecting saidthreaded needle back and forth through selected holes in said button andsaid work, and in forming winding loops and locking stitches around andthrough the loops of thread connecting said button to said work, a firstgroup of cams on said cam shaft for effecting the movement of said tablein said longitudinal path of travel, a second group of cams on said camshaft, for effecting the controlled lateral movement of said table, acam lever for each of said groups of cams each of said levers having anadjustably mounted cam follower for engaging a selected camcorresponding to the type of button to be stitched to said work,actuating levers attached to said table, a connecting rod attached toeach one of said levers and to one of said cam levers, and means foradjusting the point of connection of each of said levers to itsrespective table actuating levers to limit the extent of longitudinaland lateral movement of said table in the attachment of two-hole buttonsand four-hole buttons with parallel stitches, and to limit the extent ofdiagonal movement of said table during the conjoint operation of both ofsaid table actuating levers during the attachment of a button to saidwork.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, wherein one end of each of saidtable actuating levers comprises an extension provided with an arcuateslot, a slidably adjustable member carried by each connecting rodengaging in its respective arcuate slot in its respective extension onits actuating lever, and means for securing each of said members in aselected position in its respective slot corresponding to thelongitudinal and lateral extent of movement thetable is to take in theattachment of a selected two or four-hole button.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein each arcuately slottedextension carries a support plate having an arcuate slot matching thatin said extension, and said slidably adjustable member also extendsthrough said matching slot in said plate, a plurality of indicating tabsadjustably mounted on said support plate, and a graduated calibratedplate having matching calibrations carried by said slidable member onsaid support plate, said tabs being mounted on said support platerelative to said arcuate slots in laterally spaced distancescorresponding to settings indicating hole spacings in types of buttonsto be stitched, and said securing means being operative to secure saidmembers in selected positions in said slots in said extensions wherein aselected calibration on said calibrated plate registers with acomplementary tab members on said support plate, whereby a selected typeof button may be properly attached to the work.

5. The invention defined in claim 1 including means for incapacitatingthe longitudinal movement of said table during the formation or" saidwinding loops and locking stitches and maintaining said table sopositioned relative to said needle that said winding loops and lockingstitches are substantially centered between the underside of a buttonand the top surface of said work.

6. In a button stitching machine having means for projecting a threadedneedle back and forth through selected button holes and the work towhich a button is to be attached, comprising in combination a supporttable for said Work, means for moving said table in a longitudinal pathof travel relative to said needle, means for moving said table in alateral path of movement relative to said needle whereby to positionselected holes of said button in the path of travel of said needle,operating mechanism for actuating said means for effecting the movementof said table in said longitudinal and lateral paths of travel, meansfor controlling said mechanism to limit the extent of said movements ofsaid table in accordance with the number of holes and spacing betweenthe holes of a button being stitched, said operating mechanismcomprising a cam shaft, a first group of cams on said cam shaft formoving said table along said longitudinal path of travel, a second groupof cams mounted on said cam shaft, driving means for rotating said camshaft once during each cycle of operation in stitching a button to thework, and adjustable means for selectively utilizing one cam of saidfirst group and one cam of said second group in conforming the stitchingoperations of said machine to stitch a selected button to said work.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said actuating means formoving said table in said longitudinal and said lateral paths of travel,comprise a cam lever coacting with each of said groups of cams, anadjustably mounted cam follower on each of said levers, and means forsecuring each of said followers in a selected position on said cam leverfor coaction with a selected cam of its corresponding group.

8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said means for moving saidtable in said longitudinal path of travel includes a lever, having anextension provided with an arcuate slot, a slidably adjustable member insaid slot, a connecting rod connecting said cam lever which coacts withsaid first group of cams to said slidably adjustable member, and meansfor securing said member in a predetermined adjusted position in saidslot to limit the longitudinal movement of said table to a distancecorresponding to the spacing between the holes of a button beingattached to the work.

9. The invention defined in claim 6, wherein said operating mechanismcomprises a cam shaft, a first group of two cams on said cam shaft formoving said table along said longitudinal path of travel relative tosaid needle, a second group of three cams mounted on said cam shaft,means for driving said cam shaft to cause said cams to actuate saidtable moving means, means for causing a selected one of said cams ofsaid first group of cams to move said table longitudinally when atwo-hole button is being stitched, and to cause the second cam of saidfirst group of cams to move said table longitudinally when a four-holebutton is being stitched, and means for causing a selected cam of saidsecond group of cams to move said table laterally relative to saidneedle during the formation of winding and locking stitches about theloops of thread connecting a two-hole button to the work, said lastnamed means being adjustable to cause a selected one of the other twocams of said three cams to move said table laterally relative to saidneedle during the operation of said machine in attaching a four-holebutton to said Work with a parallel or cross stitch pattern, and meansfor operating said' needle bars to pass said needle and a thread passingthrough the eye of said needle back and forth through selected holes insaid button, and in forming thread windings and locking stitches in thethread connecting said four-hole button to said Work.

10. In a button stitching machine having means for projecting a threadedneedle back and forth through selected button holes and the work towhich a button is to be attached, comprising in combination a supporttable for said work, means for moving said table in a longitudinal pathof travel relative to said needle, means for moving said table in alateral path of movement relative to said needle whereby to positionselected holes of said button in the path of travel of said needle,operating mechanism for actuating said means for effecting the movementof said table in said longitudinal and lateral paths of travel, meansfor controlling said mechanism to limit the extent of said movements ofsaid table in accordance with the number of holes and spacing betweenthe holes of a button being stitched, means for incapacitating thelongitudinal movement of said table during the formation of said windingloops and locking stitches and maintaining said table so positionedrelative to said needle that said Winding loops and locking stitches aresubstantially centered between the underside of a button and the topsurface of said work, said incapacitating means comprising a cam on saidcam shaft, a cam lever having a cam follower coacting with said cam, aconnecting rod connected at one end to said cam lever, a bell cranklever having one arm connected to the other end of said connecting rod,and the other arm of said bell crank being arranged to prevent movementof said actuating lever which effects longitudinal movement of saidtable, and said cam being so designed to maintain said last named arm inposition to prevent forward movement of said table beyond a centeredposition relative to the underside of a button and the top surface ofsaid work while said machine is forming Winding and locking stitchesReferences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,633,613 6/1927Sibbald et a1 112-1 12 2,158,171 5/1939 Avis 1121l0 2,378,656 6/1945Reece 112-1 12 2,388,875 8/1945 Maxant 1121 12 2,451,495 10/1948 Johnsonet al 112112 2,739,550 3/1956 Patterson et al. 112-110 2,969,755 1/1961Reece 112112 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A BUTTON STITCHING MACHINE HAVING MEANS FOR PROJECTING A THREADEDNEEDLE BACK AND FORTH THROUGH SELECTED BUTTON HOLES AND THE WORK TOWHICH A BUTTON IS TO BE ATTACHED TO FORM A PLURALITY OF LOOPS OF THREADCONNECTING SAID BUTTON THERETO, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A SUPPORTTABLE FOR SAID WORK, MEANS FOR FORMING A PLURALITY OF WINDING LOOPS ANDLOCKING STITCHES AROUND AND THROUGH SAID LOOPS OF THREAD CONNECTING SAIDBUTTON TO SAID WORK, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TABLE IN A LONGITUDINAL PATHOF TRAVEL RELATIVE TO SAID NEEDLE, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TABLE IN ALATERAL PATH OF MOVEMENT RELATIVE SO SAID NEEDLE WHEREBY TO POSITIONSELECTED HOLES OF SAID BUTTON IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID NEEDLE,OPERATING MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING SAID MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE MOVEMENTOF SAID TABLE IN SAID LONGITUDINAL AND LATERAL PATHS OF TRAVEL, ANDMEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID MECHANISM TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF SAIDMOVEMENTS OF SAID TABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NUMBER OF HOLES ANDSPACING BETWEEN THE HOLES OF A BUTTON BEING STITCHED.